NCPTT to offer LEED Exam Preparation Workshop June 26-28, 2012

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training will host a three day LEED Exam Preparation Workshop at our office in Natchitoches, Louisiana. LEED has become an industry standard for demonstrating the “sustainability” of new construction and rehabilitation projects. While LEED is not the only rating system for buildings at this time it is the most widely [...]
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3D Digital Documentation Summit

NCPTT in conjunction with the National Park Service Intermountain Regional Office and the Presidio Trust will host a three day summit on digital documentation for the preservation of cultural heritage. The conference will be held July 10-12, 2012 at the Presidio in San Francisco, California. The program will feature two days of contributed papers and a [...]
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Call to Action – NPS Cultural Resources Programs

In preparation for its approaching 100th anniversary in 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) has published A Call to Action: Preparing for a Second Century of Stewardship and Engagement to help chart a path for our second hundred years.
As we look to establish priorities and focus our efforts on areas likely to have the most impact, we invite your suggestions and comments.
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Preservation Maintenance of Turf Using Resource Sensitive Techniques (2011-03)

Historic sites reflect a particular time period and cultural use. These landscapes are composed of historic features such as buildings, trees, fencing, and walkways that date to an historic period. Understanding and implementing appropriate maintenance practices to preserve a site’s historic character and its individual features are essential components of a maintenance worker’s job. This video addresses turf management techniques designed to preserve these sites.
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Ornamental Iron

Preservation of Ornamental Iron

On August 11, 2011 By

NCPTT, in partnership with Monroe County History Center at Indiana University, will conduct a workshop focused on the techniques and knowledge needed to preserve ornamental ironwork in an architectural setting, October 7-8, 2011 in Bloomington, Ind..  The class will be split between classroom lectures and in the field hands-on activities. For more information contact Jason Church, jason_church@contractor.nps.gov

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New Study Expands Research for Removing Crude Oil from Historic Brick

On August 8, 2011 By

Since the summer of 2010, NCPTT has been actively researching the removal of crude oil from objects and sites of cultural significance, such as Fort Livingston. This 19th century coastal fort on Grand Terre Island, Louisiana, was badly contaminated by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Our scientists visited the site twice last year to perform some preliminary studies on oil removal, and this summer I have been continuing with research on removing weathered oil from historic brick. The goal is to find a cleaning method that effectively strips the oil from the masonry without causing additional harm to either the structure or the environment.

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NCPTT

Protecting Archeological Objects from Crude Oil

On July 21, 2011 By

In the wake of recent oil spills, many in the public sector recognized a need for concise, reliable information to protect cultural heritage from the long-term effects of crude oil. In particular, government officials, archeologists, and preservation professionals wanted to know the risks associated with crude oil contamination on buried and submerged archeological objects and [...]

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Jason Church demonstrates the proper technique for cleaning a marble headstone using a biocidal cleaner, water, and a soft bristle brush.

Best Practice Recommendations for Cleaning Government-Issued Marble Headstones

On July 21, 2011 By

In 2004, the Department of Veteran Affairs National Cemetery Administration turned to NCPTT when it wanted advice on chemical cleaners for their marble headstones. This began and partnership and extensive research on the subject of commercially available cleaners for removing biological growth and general soiling from marble headstones.
This week, NCPTT’s Mary Striegel reported the results [...]

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Cold storage for photographic materials

Cold Storage for Photographic Materials

On July 20, 2011 By

Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 2:00 pm EDT

Theresa Anne Voellinger, Paper/Photograph Conservator, Harpers Ferry Center, National Park Service will join us to discuss the Connecting to Collections Online Community’s Featured Resource for August – the online video series Cold Storage:  A Long-Term Preservation Strategy for Film-Based Photographic Materials.

To join these events, go to http://www.connectingtocollections.org/ and visit the meeting room.

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Insect damage of a library book

Identifying Museum Insect Pest Damage

On July 20, 2011 By

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 3:00 pm EDT

Led by Barbara Cumberland, Conservator, Museum Conservation Services at the Harpers Ferry Center, National Park Service, and Carol DiSalvo, Integrated Pest Management Coordinator at the National Park Service. The following resources are recommended for this webinar:

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Prescott During

Our Rule of Three: Producing a Video on Statue Conservation

On July 5, 2011 By

Have you ever been to Gettysburg or other battlefield sites and noticed the condition of the outdoor sculptures? Or, closer to home, are there any commemorative markers or metal plaques on your way to work today that are in poor condition? Most National Parks and almost every town square have at least one outdoor sculpture that they preserve and protect, but what does it take to maintain and conserve these valuable resources on a recurring basis?

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Development and Testing of Organic Coatings for the Preservation of Outdoor Bronze Sculpture from Air-Pollutant Enhanced Corrosion – Phase 3 (2002-18)

On May 29, 2011 By

In 2002, researchers from North Dakota State University received funding from the NCPTT to study protective coatings for outdoor bronze sculpture and ornamentation. Previous research had shown that the most protective coatings tend to be impervious to conventional solvent removal techniques and that standard mechanical removal methods damage bronzes and their patinas. This study evaluates new solvent removable coatings and compares their protection to the currently used systems.

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Pecos Rock Art

Effect of Water on Lower Pecos River Rock Paintings in Texas (1998-22)

On May 29, 2011 By

In 1998, NCPTT partially funded a research project that involved an investigation of rock paintings in the Lower Pecos River area of Texas.  Rock Art Research, the journal of the Australian Rock Art Research Association (AURA) and the International Federation of Rock Art Organizations (IFRAO), communicated results which were published by Elmo J. Mawk and [...]

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